Pronunciation: [ɹˈi͡əɹ ˈɛndə] (IPA) 
The word "rear ender" is spelled with the pronunciation /rɪər ˈɛndər/. The first syllable is pronounced as "rear" with the vowel sound of "ear" as in "hear", followed by the stressed syllable "end" with the vowel sound of "e" as in "bed". Lastly, the ending "-er" is pronounced with a full "e" sound as in "her". This word is used to describe a collision between two vehicles that occur when one hits the back of another.
Rear ender is a colloquial term primarily used in North American English to describe a type of automobile accident that occurs when one vehicle collides into the back of another vehicle. It refers to a situation where the front end of a vehicle crashes into the rear of another vehicle due to a lack of sufficient distance between them or an inability to stop in time. Typically, this type of accident occurs when the driver of the trailing vehicle fails to maintain an adequate following distance or is distracted, resulting in a collision with the vehicle in front of them.
A rear ender is typically viewed as a relatively minor accident, often resulting in property damage and, in some cases, minor injuries. However, the severity of a rear ender can vary depending on the speed at which the collision occurs. Factors such as weather conditions, road conditions, and the size and weight of the vehicles involved can also influence the level of damage.
This term is derived from the position of the affected vehicles after the collision, as the front end of one vehicle is pushed into the rear end of another. The term can be used as a noun to refer to the accident itself or as an adjective to describe the type of collision.
The term "rear ender" is a compound word composed of "rear" and "ender". The word "rear" comes from Middle English and Old English, with roots in the Proto-Germanic language, where it meant "the hindmost part". "End" comes from the Old English word "end", which referred to the conclusion, extremity, or termination of something. When combined, "rear end" refers to the back or hindmost part of something.
The origin of the term "rear ender" as a noun to describe a type of car collision is derived from the action of one vehicle striking the rear end or backside of another vehicle. The term likely emerged through colloquial usage and linguistic convenience, as it clearly describes the nature of this specific accident scenario.
